Abstract
This study describes the distribution patterns of S. hermonthica infestation present in 117 farmers’ fields located in 61 villages in the three major cereal growing areas of Benue and Nasarawa states. A total of 1098 respondents were randomly selected proportionate to the number of households in all the zones. Striga count was taken using a quadrat and farmers’ fields were visually assessed using a five-category ranking (very high density,high density, medium, low, very low density) and recording the geo referenced data. On average, 67.3 and 3.2% of the surveyed area were infested with high and low density of Striga, respectively. The mean number of Striga plants per m2 was greater at Nassarawa State (one to eighteen plants m-2) than Benue State (one to twelve plants m -2). In Benue, the largest percentage of Striga infestation was recorded in Buruku (49.7%) and the lowest was obtained in Guma (38.3%). In Nassarawa, under sorghum cultivation, higher Strigadensties were recorded in Karu and Awe LGA; while Doma, Keana and Obi LGA recorded moderate Striga infestation. In both locations, Striga infestation was highest in sorghum fields; while millet fields recorded the least. About 40% and 35.4% of the farmers reported that new modern farming methods and Striga control copping strategies, respectively are received from Extension agents , during Monthly Technology Review Meeting (MTRM). The study has provided baseline information on the spread of S. hermonthica in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria and therefore, copping strategies for its control should be intensified.

Abstract Field trials were conducted in 2011 and 2012 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Technology, Plateau State College of Agriculture, Garkawa (08052’N; 69024’E) to evaluate the effectiveness of two Parkia( Parkia biglobosa) based products for the control of Striga gesnerioides in the Southern Guinea Savannah. The treatments consisted of two Parkia product : Parkia fruit powder (PP) and Parkia husk powder (PH) Plus No Parkia (Control) and ten cowpea genotypes (Banjar, IT84S-2246-4, IT97K-499-35, IT98K-573-1-1, IT89KD-391, IT03K-338-1, IT98K-205-8, Borno brown, TVX3236, UAM11D-24-55-3) and Gazum local check. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Generally, Parkia based products significantly delayed the emergence of Striga gesnerioides. Parkia based products also recorded significantly the lowest Striga shoot counts when compared with the no Parkia check. Five cowpea genotypes (IT97K-499-35, IT98K-573-1-1, IT03K-338-1, IT98K-205-8 and UAM11D-24-55-3) did not support the emergence of Striga gesnerioides . Among the susceptible genotypes, TVX3236 and Gazum local recorded significantly higher Striga shoot counts. Parkia based products recorded significantly higher pod weights and heavier seeds compared with the no Parkia check. Grain yield, although not significant, the trend indicated higher grain yield with the use of Parkia products when compared with the no Parkia check. Striga free genotypes had significantly more pods, heavier pods, heavier seeds and subsequently higher grain yield compared with the susceptible genotypes. This study concludes that: Parkia based products posses great potentialities for suppressing the noxious weed, Striga gesnerioides.

Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi
during the dry seasons of 2010 and 2011 with the objective of evaluating the performance of okra cultivars in the
Southern Guinea Savanna ecology of Nigeria. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design
with three replications while five cultivars of okra (Guntu, Dogo and Ex-Ajia NH47 – 4 and LD 88) constituted
the treatments. Highly significant variety effect was observed for all the traits (days to flowering, plant height, pod
length, pod diameter, number of pods/plant, weight of fresh pods/plant and 100 – seed weight) studied,
indicating that the cultivars evaluated are genetically diverse. A positive correlation was observed among the
yield components of pod length, pod diameter, number of pods/plant, fresh weight of pods/plant and 100 – seed
weight, indicating the prospect of simultaneous selection for these traits. The highest values for pod length, pod
diameter, number of pods/plant and 100 – seed weight observed for Ex – Ajia, NH47 – 4 and Dogo is an
indication that these three varieties have the potential for good performance in the dry season and should be
selected for dry season production in the southern guinea savanna ecology of Nigeria.

Field experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture orchard farm, University of Maiduguri during 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons. The aim was to compare the efficacy of neem (Azaradichta indica) seed oil, garlic (Allium sativa) bulb and bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) aqueous plant extracts with the synthetic insecticide cyperdicot 400 EC in the control of aphids on sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.). The treatments consisted of three aqueous plant extracts at 50/0 w/v and cyperdicot 400 EC replicated four times including control in a randomized complete block design .Each plot measured 4.0 m by 3.0 m with 1.5 m inter-spaced per adjacent plot. Results of the study showed that neem seed oil and garlic treatments were effective against aphids as the synthetic insecticides cyperdicot in controlling sweet pepper aphids (Aphis gossypii). Cyperdicot 400 EC significantly (P≤0.05) reduced aphids infestation followed closely by neem seed oil and garlic bulb. Sweet pepper plant heights were significantly higher in neem seed oil and garlic extracts treatments than bitter leaf treated plants. Fruit number and fruit yield were also improved more than bitter leaf treated plots and control. Among the three aqueous plant extracts, neem seed oil and garlic extracts proved effective in controlling the pest, therefore they are recommended for controlling sweet pepper aphids due to their low cost, potency and efficacy.

Lepidopteran stem borers are among the most damaging insect pests of cultivated Poaceae in Africa. The objective of this study was to assess the diversity and the relative abundance of Lepidopteran stem borers and evaluate the larva-pupalparasitization in farmer’s fields. Surveys were conducted during two transplanted sorghum’ cropping seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) in 3 agro-ecological sub-units in the Sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon: Mandaras’ piedmonts (MP), Diamare plain (DP), Logon valley (LV). Destructive method was used to collect caterpillars and pupae from plants according to developmental stages of the sorghum this was followed by their identification. Pupae were reared under laboratory conditions and emerging insects were recorded. They were the expected moths or their parasitoids. During the two years, 180 fields were sampled. Three stem borers’ species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were identified and the most abundant being SesamiacreticaLederer (68.27%), followed by S. poephaga (27.54%) and then S. calamistis (0.19%). It was also
appeared that S. cretica and S. poephaga were present in sampled areas whereas, S. calamistisoccurred only at LV. Parasitoids species obtained belong to 3 Orders: Hymenoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera. The most important pupalparasitoid of the zone was Tetrastichussp (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Highest parasitization (17.15±14.59%) was recorded at MD followed by LV (14.15±7.42%) and the DP (11.19±0.69%). Tetrastichussp is a potential biological control agent of stem borers and could be used in integrated pest management process to prevent economic damage ofthe sorghum by the borers. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-7-number-5-november-2015-ijaar/

Abstract
Lepidopteran stem borers are among the most damaging insect pests of cultivated Poaceae in Africa. The objective of this study was to assess the diversity and the relative abundance of Lepidopteran stem borers and
evaluate the larva-pupalparasitization in farmer’s fields. Surveys were conducted during two transplanted sorghum’ cropping seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) in 3 agro-ecological sub-units in the Sudano-sahelian
zone of Cameroon: Mandaras’ piedmonts (MP), Diamare plain (DP), Logon valley (LV). Destructive method was used to collect caterpillars and pupae from plants according to developmental stages of the sorghum this was
followed by their identification. Pupae were reared under laboratory conditions and emerging insects were recorded. They were the expected moths or their parasitoids. During the two years, 180 fields were sampled.
Three stem borers’ species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were identified and the most abundant being SesamiacreticaLederer (68.27%), followed by S. poephaga (27.54%) and then S. calamistis (0.19%). It was also appeared that S. cretica and S. poephaga were present in sampled areas whereas, S. calamistisoccurred only at LV. Parasitoids species obtained belong to 3 Orders: Hymenoptera,Diptera and Coleoptera. The most important pupalparasitoid of the zone was Tetrastichussp (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Highest parasitization (17.15±14.59%) was recorded at MD followed by LV (14.15±7.42%) and the DP (11.19±0.69%). Tetrastichussp is a potential biological control agent of stem borers and could be used in integrated pest management process to prevent economic damage ofthe sorghum by the borers.

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